Directions:

A cheese board, plate or course is a delightful, satisfying addition to any meal. A typical cheese course contains just a few ounces of cheese per person, accompanied by another food, often seasonal fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts or even chocolate along with thin slices of handmade bread or artisan crackers.

Select three to five cheeses of varying flavors and textures. Many prefer three because it doesn’t challenge the palate with too many flavors yet provides good variety and contrast.

When selecting cheeses, create a range of flavors and textures from soft to hard and milk to sharp, even pungent varieties.

- A bloomy rind cheese such as Brie, Camembert or Formagella.

- A soft or washed-rind cheese such as Teleme or Crescenza.

- A semi-firm hard cheese such as Raw Milk Cheddar, Gouda, St. George or Mezzo Secco.

- A very hard aged cheese such as Dry Jack, Aged Gouda or Estero Gold.